Meet our CEO

Paula Hanford became Chief Executive of Pancreatic Cancer Action in March 2026.

Paula Hanford is an experienced charity leader and Chief Executive with a strong track record of substantially increasing income, organisational growth, strategic development, and impact delivery within the health sector.

She led her previous charity, PSC Support, through a period of significant transformation, strengthening services, expanding organisational capacity, and tripling income to support patients and families living with a complex health condition.

Her leadership is grounded in compassion, innovation, and a clear focus on improving outcomes for those affected by serious illness.

As Chief Executive of Pancreatic Cancer Action, Paula is committed to driving earlier diagnosis, raising awareness, and ensuring that more people have access to timely support and information.

She is passionate about amplifying the voices of patients and families and working collaboratively with the sector to accelerate progress in tackling one of the UK’s most challenging cancers.

Paula will lead Pancreatic Cancer Action into its next stage of growth, strengthening its reach, influence, and sustainability, so that together, we can improve survival rates and deliver lasting change for everyone affected by pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most underfunded and under-researched cancers, with no widespread screening or early detection programme in place. Yet every day, 26 people in the UK lose their lives to this devastating disease.

Paula is dedicated to driving urgent action in the fight against this deadly disease.

Together with the whole pancreatic cancer community, Paula firmly believes that we can finally turn a corner, improve survival rates and save lives.